Convertible tricycle

ABSTRACT

A tricycle which is capable of being converted either to a traditional high position in which a rider is seated relatively high on the frame, or to a low slung position in which the frame is inverted so that a rider is seated relatively low on the frame. To invert the frame, the a front fork and handlebar are removable from the head tube of the tricycle and invertible relative to the frame and the seat is adjustable between a high and low position corresponding to the high and low slung tricycle positions. A rear deck is attached to a rear portion of the main tube and is tubular in shape so that it fully and protects encloses the rear axle of the tricycle in both the high and the low frame positions. A seat is mounted on the frame and is capable of forward and rearward adjustment as well as upward and downward adjustment. A dumpster is pivotally attachable to the frame adjacent the rear deck and includes notches that form an easily releaseable snap fit with the rear axle of the tricycle, and a channel formed in a front wall shaped to form a releasable snap fit with the rear portion of the main tube. The rear deck and pedals of the tricycle include upwardly extending flanges to prevent the feet of a rider on the tricycle from sliding sidewardly to contact the rear wheels, pedal crank supporting the pedals, or the front wheel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to tricycles and, more particularly, totricycles adapted for use exclusively by children.

The traditional child's tricycle includes a frame having a head tubewhich pivotally supports a front fork assembly, a rear deck which isattached to a pair of rear wheels, and a main tube extending between thehead tube and rear deck. The front fork assembly includes a fork memberhaving a pair of opposing legs that rotatably support a front wheel, anda shaft extending upwardly from the fork legs through the head tube. Thefork assembly also includes handlebars having a stem extendingdownwardly into the head tube and telescoping within the shaft of thefork member. An upper end of the shaft protrudes above the top of thehead tube, and the handlebar stem is secured to the fork shaft by acollar which encloses the top portion of the shaft at the top of thehead tube and includes a set screw which is threaded inwardly to clampthe handlebar stem against the top of the fork shaft.

The main tube of such a tricycle typically is a length of tubing bent toform a front portion and a rear portion oriented at an obtuse angle withthe front portion. The front portion includes a vertically extendinghole which receives a seat post of a tricycle seat. The seat post issecured to the main tube by a set screw which is threaded through atransverse hole to contact the side of the seat post within the maintube. The front portion is inclined slightly downwardly from the headtube, so that the seat is in a relatively high position on the tricycle.

The rear deck typically is in the form of an inverted, U-shaped channelwhich is welded to the rear portion of the main tube at its midpoint. Anaxle rod is journaled into the rear deck and is attached at its ends tothe rear wheels.

The front wheel includes a pedal crank whose ends extend sidewardly fromthe wheel. A pair of pedals are rotatably mounted on the ends of thepedal crank. Typically, the pedals include an opposing pair ofsubstantially flat, foot-supporting surfaces with a raised tread toprevent the feet of a rider from sliding off of the pedals. Similarly,the rear deck includes a substantially flat foot-supporting surfacewhich includes fluting or a raised tread to prevent the feet of a riderstanding upon the rear deck from sliding outwardly against the rearwheels or rearwardly off of the rear deck.

Another type of tricycle in wide use has a frame which is relatively lowslung when compared to the aforementioned traditional frame shape. Incontrast to the main tube of the traditional tricycle, the main tube ofthis type of tricycle includes a forward portion inclined sharplydownwardly from the head tube, and a rearward portion orientedsubstantially horizontally and at a level with the rear wheels. The headtube is angled from the vertical more severely than its counterpart inthe traditional tricycle so that the front wheel is positioned well infront of the head tube and the handlebars extend rearwardly of the headtube.

The seat of the low slung tricycle is mounted on the rearward portionand, therefore, is low relative to the pedals of the front wheels.Consequently, the feet to a rider are on approximately the same level asthe seat of the rider, so that the seat of the low slung tricycle mustinclude an upwardly extending back to support the rider and prevent himfrom sliding rearwardly as he pedals.

There are several disadvantages common to both styles of tricycle. Forexample, the seat of the low slung tricycle typically is adjustable onlyforwardly and rearwardly; there is no provision for elevating the seatrelative to the frame on which it is mounted to bring a rider closer tothe handlebars. Similarly, the seat of the traditional tricycletypically is capable of being adjusted only upwardly and downwardly;there is no structure to allow forward and rearward adjustment of theseat relative to the main tube on which it is mounted to position theseat a distance from the pedals which is comfortable for a rider.

In addition, the pedals of the low slung tricycle typically aresimilarly to those used with the traditional tricycle in that theyinclude opposing, flat foot-supporting surfaces having a tread toprevent slippage of the feet of a rider from the pedal. Accordingly,there is no structure which positively prevents the feet of a rider fromsliding inwardly to engage the pedal cranks or the front wheels ofeither type of tricycle.

Another disadvantage with both styles of tricycle is that one type oftricycle cannot be readily and easily converted into the other.Therefore, in order to provide a child with both types of tricycle, twoseparate tricycles must be purchased; the traditional-style tricycle andthe low slung version.

With regard to optional features, neither type of tricycle is used witha load-carrying receptacle adapted to be mounted on the rear deck. Whilethe traditional-style tricycles often include baskets which are strappedto the handlebars, the low slung tricycle typically does not provide forany type of article-carrying receptacle. Furthermore, neither styleprovides for an article-carrying receptacle adapted to be attachedrearwardly of the tricycle seat.

Accordingly, there is a need for a tricycle which may be readily andeasily adjusted to a traditional high position or a low slung position.Furthermore, there is a need for providing a pedal and rear deck designfor a tricycle which ensures that the feet of a rider do not slide offof the pedals or deck and against the wheels of the tricycle. Anotherdesirable development needed for tricycles is a seat design which can beadjusted upwardly and downwardly as well as forwardly and rearwardlyrelative to the main tube on which it is mounted to accommodate agreater variety of riders sizes. And finally, there is a need for anarticle-carrying receptacle which is shaped to attach to the rearportion of a tricycle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a tricycle which is capable of being convertedeither to a traditional style, in which a rider is seated relativelyhigh on the main tube and relatively close to the handlebar, or to a lowslung style, in which a rider is seated relatively low on the main tubeand relatively close to the rear wheels. The tricycle includes a headtube, a front fork assembly pivotally attached to the head tube andhaving a handlebar and a fork member supporting a front wheel, a maintube extending rearwardly from the head tube, a seat adjustably mountedon the main tube, and a rear deck attached to a rear portion of the maintube and having a pair of rear wheels.

The method is the same for converting the tricycle from either style tothe other. The front fork assembly is removed from the head tube and theseat is removed from the main tube. The frame, consisting of the maintube and head tube, is then pivoted about the axle at the rear deckuntil it is inverted relative to its previous position. The front forkassembly is then reattached to the head tube and the seat reattached tothe main tube.

When the tricycle is converted in this manner to the high position, theseat is attached to the main tube at a high, forward location adjacentto the head tube. When the tricycle is converted to the low slungposition, the seat is attached to the main tube at a low, rearwardlocation adjacent to the rear wheels. It is this capability ofpositioning the seat in a forward and in a rearward position on theframe that enables the tricycle of the present invention to be convertedto the high or low slung positions such that a significant change inseat elevation occurs. A prior art tricycle, regardless of theconfiguration of its main tube, cannot provide the same dramatic changein appearance and seat elevation merely by inverting the tricycle frameand reattaching the seat to the frame at the same general location onthe main tube.

In a preferred embodiment, the main tube includes a front segment and arear segment bent to form an obtuse angle. The front segment is adaptedto support the seat when the frame is in the high position, and the rearsegment is adapted to support the seat on an opposite side of the maintube when the frame is inverted to the low slung position. It isespecially preferable to form the main tube such that the aforementionedangle is between 147° and 152°, with 150° being optimal. It is alsopreferable to form the handlebar such that the yoke portion, whichincludes the handlebar grips, is oriented at an angle to the handlebarstem of between 0° and 5°, and to attach the head tube, which supportsthe fork assembly, to the main tube at an angle of approximately 78°.With the frame and fork assembly formed in this manner, the handlebargrips and pedals are within a comfortable reach of a seated child riderfor both high and low tricycle positions.

Also in the preferred embodiment, the rear deck is tubular in shape andcompletely encloses the rear axle supporting the rear wheels. Thisprevents a rider from contacting the axle when the frame is in the highposition and when it is adjusted to the low slung position.

Another advantage of the tricycle of the present invention is that itincludes a seat which is adjustable relative to the main tube in forwardand rearward directions as well as in upward and downward directions,thereby providing a capability to seat comfortably riders of a greatersize range than prior art tricycles. The adjustable seat consists of aseat body having a substantially flat seating surface, a seat bracketattached to the seat body, and a mounting bracket attached to the seatbracket and adapted to be attached to the main tube of the tricycle. Theseat bracket includes a leg portion which is inclined upwardly relativeto the seating surface. The mounting bracket includes a front membershaped to attach to the main tube of the tricycle and a rear memberwhich is inclined relative to the front member and is adapted tomatingly engage the leg portion of the seat bracket.

In the preferred embodiment, the front member includes a plurality ofholes which are sized to receive a mounting bolt that passes through asimilarly shaped hole in the main tube. Selection of one of the frontmember holes determines the relative position between the seat and themain tube, so that the seat may be moved forwardly or rearwardlyrelative to the main tube depending upon the selection of the mountingbracket hole. The rear member is channel-shaped and includes a pluralityof transverse slots. The leg portion of the seat bracket is alsochannel-shaped and includes a plurality of corresponding holes. Theheight of the seat can be adjusted by sliding the leg portion relativeto the rear member of the mounting bracket, then securing the twotogether by a nut and bolt combination passing through ones of the holesand slots in registry.

Another advantage of the tricycle is that the rear deck and pedalsinclude structure for preventing the feet of a rider from slidingsidewardly into the front and rear wheels of the tricycle. The rear deckincludes a pair of end pieces attached to its opposing ends andpositioned adjacent the inboard sides of the rear wheels. The end piecesinclude flanges extending upwardly from the rear deck sufficiently toprevent the feet of a rider standing on the rear deck from inadvertentlysliding outwardly to contact the rear wheels.

The pedals of the tricycle include a body portion rotatably attached tothe ends of the pedals crank of the front wheel. Each pedal includes apair of opposing, foot-supporting surfaces. The body portion of eachpedal includes a flange adjacent an inboard side which extends outwardlyfrom and substantially perpendicular to the foot-supporting surfaces adistance sufficient to prevent the foot of a rider from sliding inwardlyto contact the wheel. Preferably, the flanges are integral with the bodyportion, and the entire pedal preferable is molded of a high densitypolypropylene material.

In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the tricycle includes adumpster attachment which is an article-carrying receptacle adapted tobe mounted on the rear-portion of the tricycle. The dumpster includes apair of side walls, each having a notch at its lower end, and a pair ofopposing tabs extending into the notch so that the tabs and notch form asnap fit with the portion of the axle extending between the rear deckand rear wheels of the tricycle. The front wall of the dumpster includesa channel at its midportion which angles upwardly from the floor of thedumpster and is shaped to matingly engage a rear portion of the maintube of the tricycle. The channel includes a pair of opposingprojections which extend into the channel so that the channel andprojections form a snap fit with the main tube.

The dumpster is mounted easily on the tricycle by snap fitting the rearaxle of the tricycle into the notches on the side walls and snap fittingthe main tube into the channel on the front wall of the dumpster. Thedumpster may be removed from the tricycle merely by applying an upwardforce on the dumpster of sufficient force to break the snap fitengagement with the tricycle to which it is attached, while holding thetricycle in place. The dumpster can be pivoted from a load-carryingposition, in which the floor of the dumpster is substantially level, toa dumping position in which the floor is tilted upwardly relative to thehorizontal, by pivoting the dumpster about the rear axle of thetricycle.

Preferably, the notches on the side walls are positioned rearwardly ofthe center of gravity of the dumpster so that the dumpster tends topivot forwardly against the main tube when mounted on the rear axle. Bypositioning the notches rearwardly of the center of gravity, thelikelihood of the dumpster inadvertently pivoting to a dumping positionis substantially reduced.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide atricycle which is capable of being converted to a traditional highposition or to a low slung position with a minimum of effort and time; atricycle having a seat which is adjustable forwardly and rearwardly aswell as upwardly and downwardly so that the tricycle accommodatescomfortably riders of a greater range in size; a tricycle havingstructure attached to the pedals and rear deck to prevent theinadvertent sideward sliding of the feet of a rider into the front andrear wheels; and a tricycle having a dumpster which is adapted to beremovably mounted on the rear portion of the tricycle and is capable ofbeing pivoted from a load-carrying position to a dumping position.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description, the accompanying drawings and the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective, exploded view of a preferred embodiment of thetricycle of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the tricycle of FIG. 1 shown adjusted to alow slung position;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the tricycle of FIG. 1 adjusted to a highposition;

FIG. 4 is a detail showing the frame of the tricycle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a detail taken at 5--5 of FIGS. 2 and 3 showing a sectionthrough the handlebar stem;

FIG. 6 is a detail of the fork assembly taken at line 6--6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation of a pedal of the tricycle shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an inboard end view of the pedal of FIG. 7, taken at line 8--8of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an outboard end view of the pedal taken at line 9--9 of FIG.7;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the pedal taken at line 10--10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a detail showing the seat of the tricycle of FIG. 1 in whichthe seat body is partially broken away;

FIG. 12 is a detail showing the rear deck of the tricycle in which aportion of the rear deck is shown in section and a foot of a rider inshown in phantom;

FIG. 13 is a detail showing the rear deck in section taken at line13--13 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a detail showing the pedal of FIG. 7 in section and attachedto a pedal crank, and in which a foot of a rider is shown in phantom;

FIG. 15 is a detail showing an alternate embodiment of the tricycle ofFIG. 1 in which dumpster is attached to the rear portion thereof;

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the dumpster of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a bottom plan view of the dumpster of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a rear elevation of the dumpster of FIG. 15, taken at line18--18 of FIG. 19;

FIG. 19 is a side elevation of the dumpster of FIG. 15;

FIG. 20 is a front elevation of the dumpster of FIG. 15, taken at line20--20 of FIG. 19; and

FIG. 21 is a detail showing the dumpster of FIG. 15 in a load-carryingposition and, in phantom, pivoted to a dumping position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the tricycle of the present inventionincludes a frame, generally designated 30, consisting of a head tube 32,a main tube 34, and a rear deck 35. The head tube 32 and main tube 34are both made of tubular steel and are connected to each other bywelding. The rear deck 35 is also made of tubular steel and is joined tothe main tube 34 by welding.

The rear deck 35 is substantially oval in cross section and includes asubstantially flat, foot-supporting surface 36 on its upper side. A rearaxle 37 extends through the rear deck 35 and is rotatably attached torear wheels 38. Rear wheels 38 are held on the axle by nuts 39 (only oneof which is shown).

The main tube 34 includes a front segment 40 and a rear segment 41. Thefront segment 40 and rear segment 41 are oriented at an obtuse angle.Front segment 40 and rear segment 41 include seat mounting holes 42, 43,respectively (see also FIG. 11).

A front fork assembly, generally designated 44, is pivotally attached tothe head tube 32. The front fork assembly 44 includes a fork member 46having a pair of opposing legs 48 to which a pedal crank 50 is rotatablyattached. The pedal crank 50 is fixedly attached to a front wheel 52.The structures of the fork legs 48, pedal crank 50 and front wheel 52are well-known in the art and are typical of high quality tricycles.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the fork member 46 includes a shaft 54 whichis attached to the fork legs 48 and extends upwardly through the headtube 32. The shaft 54 is held in position relative to the head tube 32by upper and lower journal bearings 56, 58, respectively, (see also FIG.1), which are inserted in the ends of the head tube. The shaft 54includes an upper end 60 which protrudes upwardly from the head tube 32through journal bearing 56 and is split into two sections by opposingslots 62, 64.

A handlebar 66 includes a downwardly extending, tubular stem 68 and aU-shaped yoke portion 70. The yoke 70 extends generally upwardly fromthe head tube 32 and includes ends 71 extending generally outwardly.Handle bar grips 72 are attached to the ends 71 of the yoke portion 70.The handlebar stem 68 extends downwardly from the yoke 70 and is sizedto telescope into the upper end 60 of the shaft 54. A U-shaped clamp 74is mounted on the upper end 60 and includes a bolt 76 which extendsthrough its ends 78, 80 and is secured therein by a nut 82.

By tightening the nut and bolt 76, 82, respectively, the clamp 74compresses the split upper end 60 of the shaft 54 against the handlebarstem 68. Conversely, loosening the nut and bolt 76, 82 releases theupper end from the handlebar stem so that the two elements may beseparated from each other and rearward from the head tube 32.

The tricycle includes a seat, generally designated 84, best shown inFIGS. 1 and 11. The seat includes a seat body 86 having a padded,substantially horizontally-oriented seating surface 88 and an upwardlyinclined rear back 90. A seat bracket 92 is attached to the underside ofthe seat body 86 by screws 94 and includes a leg portion 96 which isinclined rearwardly and upwardly relative to the seating surface 88. Theleg portion 96 is channel-shaped and includes transverse slots 98.

A mounting bracket 100 having a front member 102 and a rear member 104.The front member 102 includes a plurality of holes 106, and the mountingbracket is attached to the main tube 34 by a nut and bolt 108, 110,respectively, which pass through a selected one of the holes and throughthe vertically oriented hole 42 in the main tube. A contoured washer 114is positioned between the nut 110 and underside of the main tube 34.(See also FIG. 3.)

The rear member 104 of the mounting bracket 100 is inclined upwardlyrelative to the front member 102 and is channel shaped to slide withinthe channel-shape of the leg portion 96. Rear member 104 includes twopairs of transverse holes 116 which are positioned to be moved intoregistry with selected ones of the slots 98 of the leg portion 96. Nutand bolt combinations 118 extend through the slots 98 and holes 116 ofthe leg portion 96 and rear member 104, respectively.

The seat 84 has the capability of being adjusted forwardly or rearwardlyon the main tube 34 by positioning a selected one of the holes 106 inregistry with the corresponding hole 42 in the main tube, then attachingthe mounting bracket 100 to the main tube by the nut and bolt 108, 110,respectively. In addition, the seat 84 has the capability of beingadjusted vertically by sliding the leg portion 96 of the seat bracket 92along the rear member 104 of the mounting bracket 100 so that the holes116 of the rear member are in registry with selected ones of the slots98 of the leg portion. The leg portion is then attached securely to therear member 104 by nuts and bolts 118. The rear member 104 and legportion 96 are both inclined relatively to the slope of the main tube 34so that the seating surface 88 remains substantially horizontalregardless of the seat elevation, and regardless of the forward orrearward position of the seat 86 relative to the main tube.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 7-10 and 14, a pair of pedals 120 are rotatablyattached to the ends of the pedal crank 50 (only one pedal 120 beingshown on an end of the pedal crank 50 in FIG. 1) and are secured on theends by nuts 122. Each pedal 120 includes a substantially rectangularpedal body 124 having opposing, foot-supporting surfaces 126. Thesurfaces 126 include transverse ridges 128 forming a tread to minimizeslippage of the foot of a rider from the pedal.

The pedals each include a flange 130 which is formed integrally with thepedal body 124 and is positioned adjacent an inboard end of the pedal120. The flange 130 includes a pair of opposing wings 132 which extendoutwardly from and are oriented substantially perpendicularly to thefoot-supporting surfaces 126.

As best shown in FIGS. 8 and 14, the pedal body 124 is substantiallyhollow and includes a central tube 134 which is formed integrally withthe body and flange 130, and is connected thereto by webs 136. The tube134 includes a bore 138 sized to receive the end of the pedal crank 50.The end of the pedal crank 50 protrudes through the bore and into arecess 140 formed in the outboard end 142 of the pedal body 124 (seealso FIG. 9). The recess 140 protects the nut 122 which retains thepedal 120 on the crank 50.

As best shown in FIG. 14, the wings 132 of the pedal 120 extend upwardlyfrom the supporting surfaces 126 a distance sufficient to prevent thefoot 144 of a rider on the tricycle from sliding inwardly to contacteither the pedal crank 50, fork leg 48 or wheel 52 of the tricycle.Although flanges of sizes and shapes different from that shown may beemployed, the shape of flange 130 is preferred because the arcuate outersurface 146 of the flange is lacking in sharp edges which might injure arider. The exact distance from the foot supporting surface 26 to theouter edge 148 of the wings 132, while not critical, should be at least0.5 inches (1.27 cm).

A similar feature has been incorporated into the design of the rear deck35. As shown in FIGS. 1, 12 and 13, the rear deck 35 includes a pair ofend pieces 150 having upwardly extending flange plates 152. Each endpiece 150 includes a tubular section 154 which is shaped to telescopeinto the open end 156 of the rear deck, and is secured thereto bywelding.

Each end piece 150 includes a shaft 158 which extends through the flangeplate 152 and tubular section 154. The shaft forms an opening 10 sizedto receive the rear axle 37 of the tricycle. A nylon journal bearing 164is fitted onto the outboard end of the shaft 158 and supports the axle37. The shaft 158 is stabilized relative to the flange plate 152 bygussets 166 which extend between the shaft and flange plate.

As shown in FIG. 12, the flange plate 152 extends above the footsupporting surface 36 of the rear deck 35 a distance sufficient toprevent the foot 144 of a rider from sliding outwardly against the rearwheels 38 of the tricycle. Again, the distance from the foot supportingsurface 36 to the top surface 168 is not critical, but should be no lessthan 0.5 inches (1.27 cm).

The aforementioned tricycle can be converted from a traditional, highposition, shown in FIG. 3, to a low slung position as shown in FIG. 2.It should be noted that, when the tricycle is in the high position, theseat 84 is mounted on the front segment 40 of the main tube 34 so thatthe bolt 108 passes through hole 42 (see FIG. 11). As describedpreviously, the seat body 86 may be adjusted both forwardly andrearwardly, and upwardly and downwardly relative to the front segment 40in order to adjust the distance from the seating surface 88 to thepedals 120 in order to accommodate riders of varying sizes.

To convert the tricycle from the high position to the low position, thebolt 76 is loosened on the clamp 74 and the handlebar 66 is removed fromits telescoping engagement with the upper end 60 of the fork shaft 54.The clamp 74 is removed from the shaft 54 and the fork member 46 removedfrom the head tube 32.

The seat 84 is removed from the main tube 34 by removing the nut andbolt 108, 110, respectively, from the mounting bracket 100 and frontsegment 40 of the main tube. The main tube 34 is then pivoted about therear axle 37 of the tricycle until it assumes the position shown in FIG.2.

The main tube 34 is now in a position which is inverted relative to itshigh position shown in FIG. 3. The shaft 54 of the fork member 44 isreinserted into the head tube 32, and the stem 68 of the handlebar 66reattached to the shaft by the clamp 74 in the manner previouslydescribed. The seat 84 is attached to the rear segment 41 of the maintube 34 by inserting bolt 108 through the hole 43 in the rear segment(see FIG. 1).

The tricycle is now in a low slung position so that the seating surface88 is at a level approximately equal to the rear wheels 38. Again, theseat 84 can be adjusted in elevation and in its forward and rearwardorientation relative to the main tube 34 in order to vary the distancefrom the seating surface 88 to the pedals 120 to accommodate a rider. Ofcourse, the elevation of the handlebar 66 relative to the head tube 32may be varied when the tricycle is in the high or low position toposition the grips 72 conveniently for a rider.

The procedure for converting the tricycle from the low slung positionFIG. 2 back to the high position in FIG. 3 is substantially the same asthe method previously described. The seat 84 is removed from the rearsegment of the main tube 34, and the fork member 44 and handlebar 66removed from the head tube 32. The frame 30 is then pivoted about therear axle 37 of the tricycle until it assumes the orientation shown inFIG. 3. The fork member 44 and handlebar 66 are then reattached to thehead tube 32, and the seat 86 reattached to the front segment 40 of themain tube 34.

Another advantage of the tricycle frame 30 over prior art designs isthat the rear deck 35 totally encloses the axle 37 extending through it.This serves not only to strengthen the rear deck 35, but protects theaxle 37 when the frame 30 is in the low slung position and the surface36 underneath the deck.

In order to provide a tricycle frame 30 in which the distance from theseating surface 88 to the pedals 120 is appropriate and comfortable fora child rider in both the high and low tricycle positions, it ispreferable that the main tube 34 comprise front and rear segments 40,41, respectively, which form an angle A of between approximately 147°and 152° (see FIG. 4). It has been found especially preferable toprovide a main tube 34 in which the front and rear segments 40, 41 forman angle A of 150°.

Furthermore, in order to position the handlebar 66 such that the grips72 are at an appropriate distance from the seating surface 88 when thetricycle is in both the high and low slung positions, it is preferableto connect the head tube 32 to the front segment 40 to form an angle Bof approximately 102°. It is also preferable to form the handlebar 66such that a centerline C of the yoke 70 forms an angle D with acenterline E of the stem 68 of between approximately 0° and 5°, as shownin FIG. 3.

In general, it is desirable to position the yoke 70 on the stem 68 suchthat the yoke extends generally upwardly and the ends 71 of the yoke(covered by grips 72 in FIG. 1) extend generally outwardly when thetricycle is in the high or low slung configuration. This handlebar shapeminimizes the likelihood that the ends 71 of the yoke 70 will contact arider when the tricycle is in the high or the low slung positions.

Another embodiment of the tricycle is shown in FIGS. 15-21 and includesa dumpster 170. The dumpster 170 preferably is of single piece, moldedconstruction and includes side walls 172, 174, a front wall 176, rearwall 178 and floor 100.

As shown in FIGS. 19, 20 and 21, the side walls 172, 174 include notches182 formed in their lower ends, and partially enclosed by tabs 184. Thetabs 184 are shaped so that the notches 182 receive the rear axle 37 ofthe tricycle in a snap fit. The side walls 172, 174 are spaced apartsuch that the notches 182 engage the axle 37 between the end pieces 150of the rear deck and the rear wheels 38. With the tricycle shown in FIG.1, the notches 182 could also be sized and spaced apart to form a snapfit with the shafts 158 of the end pieces 150. It should be noted thatthe notch 182 and tabs 184 of side wall 172 only are shown in FIGS. 19and 21, with the understanding being that the construction and locationof the notches and tabs for side wall 174 are identical.

The front wall 176 of the dumpster 170 includes a channel 186 which isinclined upwardly from the floor 180 at a slope which is substantiallythe same as that of the rear segment 44 of the main tube 34 (see FIG.15). The channel 186 includes a pair of opposing protrusions 188 whichextend into the channel and are shaped to form a snap fit with the rearsegment 42.

As shown in FIG. 21, the dumpster 170 is supported on the rear axle 37in a load carrying position in which the rear segment 41 extends throughthe channel 186 and is held therein by a snap fit. The dumpster 170 canbe pivoted rearwardly to the position 170' shown in FIG. 21 by a forceapplied in a direction rearward of the tricycle, thereby pivoting thedumpster 170 about the rear axle 37 and removing the channel 186 fromits engagement with the rear segment 42 of the main tube 34.

In the preferred embodiment, the notches 182 formed in the side walls172, 174 are positioned rearwardly of the center of gravity 189 of thedumpster 170 (see FIG. 19). Consequently, when mounted on the rear axle37, the dumpster 170 has a tendency to pivot forwardly against the rearsegment 41. This feature reduces the likelihood of the dumpster tippinginadvertently.

When used with the tricycle shown in FIG. 1, it is also preferable toprovide a floor 180 as shown in FIG. 21. Such a floor includes anarcuate recess 190 in its underside shaped to provide clearance for theflange plates 152 of the end pieces 150.

While the forms of apparatus herein described constitute preferredembodiments of this invention, it is to be understood that the inventionis not limited to these precise forms of apparatus, and that changes maybe made therein without departing from the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A convertible tricycle comprising:a main tubehaving a front segment including a head tube fixed at an oblique anglethereto, said head tube having first and second opposing openings, and arear segment extending rearwardly from said front segment and positionedat an angle thereto; front fork means pivotally and removably attachedto said head tube at said first opening thereof and including frontwheel means rotatably attached thereto; handlebar means pivotally andremovably attached to said head tube at said second opening thereof;rear wheel means attached to said rear segment at a rearward end thereofand including a rear deck and a pair of rear wheels rotatably attachedthereto; a single removable seat adapted to be alternately mounted onopposite sides of said main tube; a mounting bracket attachable to saidmain tube at a selected one of a plurality of locations therealong, saidbracket being adapted to position said seat alternately on oppositesides of said main tube; first means for attaching said bracket to saidmain tube at said plurality of locations therealong; second means forattaching said seat to said mounting bracket; said main tube includingmeans for engaging said first means for mounting said seat on one sideof said main tube at one of said locations on said front segment suchthat said main tube and said tricycle assume a high position, and meansfor receiving said first means for mounting said seat on an oppositeside of said main tube at one of said locations on said rear segment forconverting said tricycle to a low slung position, wherein said main tubeis inverted relative to said front fork means and said handlebar means,said front fork means is attached to said head tube at said secondopening and said handlebar means is attached to said head tube at saidfirst opening thereof.
 2. The tricycle of claim 1 wherein said frontsegment and said rear segment form an angle of between approximately147° and approximately 152°.
 3. The tricycle of claim 2 wherein saidangle is 150°.
 4. The tricycle of claim 3 wherein said handlebar meansincludes an inverted, U-shaped yoke and a stem extending downwardlytherefrom, said yoke forming an angle of between approximately 0° toapproximately 5° with said stem; and said stem makes an angle ofapproximately 78° with said front segment.
 5. The tricycle of claim 1wherein said transverse rear deck includes a tubular portion fullyenclosing an interior thereof and an axle extending through saidinterior and supporting said rear wheels at opposite ends of saidtubular portion.
 6. A convertible tricycle comprising:an elongate maintube; rear wheel means attached to said main tube at a rearward portionthereof and including a transverse rear deck and a pair of rear wheelsrotatably attached thereto; a head tube having first and second opposingopenings, said head tube being fixedly attached to said main tube at anoblique angle thereto; front fork means pivotally and removably attachedto said head tube at said first opening thereof and including frontwheel means rotatably attached thereto; handlebar means pivotally andremovably attached to said head tube at said second opening thereof; asingle removable seat adapted to be alternately mounted on oppositesides of said main tube; a mounting bracket attachable to said main tubeat a selected one of a plurality of locations therealong, said bracketbeing adapted of position said seat alternately on opposite sides ofsaid main tube; first means for attaching said bracket to said main tubeat said plurality of locations therealong; second means for attachingsaid seat to said mounting bracket; said main tube including means forengaging said first means for mounting said seat on one side of saidmain tube at one of said locations proximate said head tube such thatsaid main tube and said tricycle assume a high position, and means forreceiving said first means for mounting said seat on an opposite side ofsaid main tube at one of said locations proximate said rear wheel meansfor converting said tricycle to a low slung position, wherein said maintube is inverted relative to said front fork means and said handlebarmeans, said front fork means is attached to said head tube at saidsecond opening and said handlebar means is attached to said head tube atsaid first opening thereof.
 7. The tricycle of claim 6 wherein said seatincludes a seat body having a seating surface including a substantiallyflat forward portion and a back inclined upwardly therefrom.
 8. Thetricycle of claim 6 wherein said rear deck is attached at a midportionthereof to said rear segment, said deck having a generally tubular shapeand fully enclosing an interior portion thereof; and said rear wheelmeans includes rear axle means supported by said rear deck, extendingthrough said interior portion and attached to said rear wheels such thatsaid rear wheels are positioned at opposite ends of said rear deck. 9.The tricycle of claim 8 wherein said rear deck is shaped to provide asubstantially flat and horizontal surface when said tricycle isconverted to said high position.
 10. The tricycle of claim 6 whereinsaid handlebar means includes a generally U-shaped, substantiallyupwardly extending yoke portion attached to said stem, said yoke portionincluding substantially outwardly extending ends so that said yokeportion does not contact a rider when said handlebar is turned and saidtricycle is in said high or said low slung position.